January 19, 2026
Before signing a three-year, $45 million extension with the Philadelphia Phillies, catcher
J.T. Realmuto was linked to the Tampa Bay Rays. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Rays were interested in the veteran backstop but were unable to match Philadelphia's contract offer. The 34-year-old has spent the majority of his 12-year MLB career in Philadelphia. Last summer, he saw his offensive production take a hit, posting a low .257/.325/.384 line with 12 home runs and eight sotlen baes. Under the hood, he generated a .316 xwOBA with a slightly above-average 45.5% hard-hit rate. With the Rays missing out on Realmuto, managers should expect Nic Fortes,
Hunter Feduccia, and
Dominic Keegan to compete for starting opportunities. Fortes will likely be the starting option but holds minimal fantasy value outside of 15+ team AL-only formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 19, 2026
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against San Antonio, marking his fourth straight absence, though a return Tuesday remains possible. Utah continues to redistribute usage, making
Brice Sensabaugh the clear fantasy beneficiary after averaging 31.7 points on 61.4 percent shooting over his last three games.
Ace Bailey has also stepped into a larger role, logging 14.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in expanded starts. Sensabaugh's scoring volume and secure minutes profile him as a strong short-term add in standard leagues.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
January 19, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Kansas City Royals are unlikely to land either of the two hitters they have been pursuing in trade talks,
Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals, or
Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox. Through the winter, both the Cardinals and Red Sox have been listening to offers for these two players, but have yet to strike a deal. However, Rosenthal believes that the Royals appear to be out of the running to bolster their lineup ahead of spring training. Donovan is a super-utility infielder who turned in a productive 2025 campaign, posting a .287/.353/.422 line with 10 home runs and three stolen bases. Duran took a step back in 2025 as he held a lower .256/.332/.442 line compared to the impressive .285/.342/.492 slash line he held in 2024. With the Royals likely missing out on both bats, managers should expect
Jonathan India to remain the primary second baseman heading into camp, while
Lane Thomas,
Kyle Isbel, and
Jac Caglianone hold the positions in the outfield. This is an excellent sign for former top prospect Caglianone, as he will face even less competition for a full-time role.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 19, 2026
Houston Rockets center
Steven Adams (ankle) was diagnosed with a sprained left ankle after exiting early in Sunday's win over New Orleans, with significant swelling reported and further testing pending. Adams was unable to put weight on the ankle, putting his short-term availability in doubt. Fantasy managers should expect
Alperen Sengun to shoulder heavier frontcourt minutes, while
Clint Capela could see a situational bump off the bench. Capela remains a risky streamer given Houston's occasional small-ball lean, but he can return value when minutes spike.
--Brian DailisanSource: Kelly Iko
January 19, 2026
The Los Angeles Dodgers could look to shop outfielder
Ryan Ward following the signing of star outfielder
Kyle Tucker. As reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers are "likely" to explore trade offers for the 27-year-old ahead of spring training. While initial reports suggested they could shop
Teoscar Hernandez, the Dodgers are likely to shift him to left field and instead move the long-time minor leaguer. Last season, Ward turned in an impressive campaign with Triple-A Oklahoma City and was making a strong push to join the Dodgers down the stretch. The Pacific Coast League MVP posted a remarkable .290/.380/.557 line with a .937 OPS, 31 doubles, 36 home runs, and 16 stolen bases. Ward is a name to closely monitor as he would become an intriguing sleeper for deeper leagues if he can join a club that would give him an opportunity to crack an Opening Day roster.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 19, 2026
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Dodgers could look to shop right-handed pitcher
Bobby Miller in a potential trade. Rosenthal noted that while reports suggested
Teoscar Hernandez could be on the trade block following the signing of
Kyle Tucker, Rosenthal believes the Dodgers would instead look to move young right-hander Miller. Miller flashed immediate upside in his debut season back in 2023. He logged 124 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.76 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. However, in 2024, Miller would take a massive step back, logging 52 innings with a hefty 8.52 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP. Last summer, Miller tossed only five innings with the Dodgers as he spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Miller could be an intriguing buy-low asset for some teams, given his prospect pedigree. For now, he does not expect to carry any value in standard redrat leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 19, 2026
Toronto Raptors forward/center
Collin Murray-Boyles (thumb) was ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's matchup against the Lakers after aggravating his left thumb in the third quarter. The rookie logged 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 25 minutes before exiting. If he misses time, Toronto would continue to operate shorthanded in the frontcourt with
Jakob Poeltl (back) sidelined.
Sandro Mamukelashvili is the preferred fantasy stream after producing 13 and 15 points in two of his last five games. At the same time,
Jonathan Mogbo remains a risky deep-league option due to inconsistent usage.
--Brian DailisanSource: Kayla Grey
January 18, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs caught four of his six targets for 40 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. The veteran receiver had a decent revenge game against his old team while helping the Patriots punch their ticket to the AFC Championship. Diggs has a solid 11 targets over his last two games, but his 56 yards during that span are a big step backward from the 282 yards he accrued over the final three weeks of the regular season. Fortunately for Diggs' managers and bettors, he salvaged his performance with the touchdown, delivering double-digit fantasy points (full-PPR) for the third time in his last five games. He'll likely carry a similar touchdown-dependent outlook into next week's matchup against a strong Denver defense. After all, the Broncos allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers during the regular season.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans wide receiver
Jayden Higgins caught six of his 10 targets for 59 yards during Sunday's Divisional Round loss against the New England Patriots. Higgins took on a larger role with
Nico Collins (concussion) sidelined, and it resulted in him leading the team in both catches and receiving yards. The Iowa State product put together a strong rookie campaign, catching 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns through 17 regular-season games. He added another 14 catches and 98 yards in the playoffs. Heading into next year, Higgins will continue to face competition for targets from Nico Collins and
Jaylin Noel.
Christian Kirk is expected to depart in free agency, but
Tank Dell (knee) should take his place on offense and will create additional competition. There are a lot of mouths to feed in Houston, but Higgins will have a chance to emerge as the No. 2 target behind Collins.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye completed 16 of his 27 pass attempts for 179 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He also rushed for 10 yards, took five sacks, and lost two fumbles. Maye didn't have the cleanest game by any means, and his three turnovers made life more difficult for the Patriots. Nevertheless, New England fended off the Houston Texans, who had one of their worst offensive performances in a while. Maye played better than his quarterback opponent,
C.J. Stroud, and as a result, he'll survive another week. The former No. 3 pick moves on to face the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game next week. It'll be another tough matchup, as Denver allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks during the regular season.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 70 yards on 16 carries during Sunday's Divisional Round win over the Houston Texans. He also caught all four of his targets for an additional 11 receiving yards. Stevenson led the backfield in touches on Sunday, and understandably so. He was far more efficient (4.4 YPC) than teammate
TreVeyon Henderson (2.1 YPC) once again. We'll likely see a similar distribution of touches heading into next week's AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. Denver has a strong defense, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to running backs during the regular season. With that being said, Stevenson has shown that he can produce even against strong run defenses. Look no further than Sunday's playoff win over Houston. He should remain a strong option for DFS managers and bettors going forward, especially in formats where his pass-catching role gives him a boost.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud completed 20 of his 47 pass attempts for 212 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions during Sunday's Divisional Round loss against the New England Patriots. He also took three sacks and rushed for 11 yards. The former No. 2 pick had an ugly game, and his turnovers proved to be the difference-maker in Houston's two-possession loss. It was previously reported that the Texans have decided to pick up Stroud's fifth-year option for 2027, and while that decision isn't official yet, Sunday's game likely won't change much. However, this frustrating performance could have some impact on whether Stroud earns a long-term extension in the future. He is now 3-3 in the playoffs through three seasons, totaling six touchdowns, six interceptions, and seven fumbles during that span. He'll look to clean up the turnovers ahead of the 2026 regular season. He should rank as a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback heading into next summer's fantasy drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
January 18, 2026
Denver Nuggets forward
Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Charlotte Hornets. The Nuggets have decided to take the cautious approach and hold Gordon out for the second leg of the back-to-back set. The absence of Gordon should mean increased playing time for
Zeke Nnaji and DaRon Holmes. Last time Gordon sat out on Jan. 5, Holmes drew the start, but Nnaji was the more productive player. Both players should be viewed as low-end streaming options with Gordon unavailable on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Charlotte Hornets center
Moussa Diabate (hamstring) is available to play ahead of Sunday's game against the Denver Nuggets. Diabate is back in the mix after sitting out the front end of the back-to-back set due to a right hamstring strain. He's back on Sunday and should return to his role as the starting center. This month, Diabate is averaging 9.3 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 30.5 minutes across six games in January.
Ryan Kalkbrenner will take the biggest hit to his fantasy value with Diabate back in the mix. Diabate offers enough upside to at least be rostered in deep leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Phoenix Suns guard
Jalen Green (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Brooklyn Nets. Green appears to be nearing a return after getting in some 5-on-5 work this weekend. He hasn't played since November 8 due to a right hamstring strain. If he plays, Green would likely operate under a minutes limit, which would limit his fantasy value. His return would also mean that
Collin Gillespie,
Jordan Goodwin, and
Grayson Allen would see decreased roles. Gillespie has been playing extremely well in the rotation while Green is out. His fantasy value would likely take the biggest hit once Green is available to return. Fantasy managers should check back on Monday for another update on Green.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Miami Heat guard
Tyler Herro (rib) is not traveling with the team and has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Herro will miss his second straight game due to a rib contusion, which could keep him out much longer. Herro will undergo an MRI, so fantasy managers should get a better timetable soon. The Heat play the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday; it seems unlikely that Herro will be ready for that one.
Pelle Larsson figures to draw another start, but his playing time could be limited with
Davion Mitchell (shoulder) probable for that game. Larsson finished with 16 points and three rebounds during Saturday's game. He'll offer some low-end streaming appeal while Herro is out.
--Andy WebbSource: Anthony Chiang
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Jaxson Hayes (hamstring) is available ahead of Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Hayes is back in the rotation after missing the last three games due to a left hamstring issue. He figures to play his regular role in the rotation with fellow big man
Deandre Ayton (knee) active as well. The return of both big men will probably mean decreased roles for
Maxi Kleber and
Drew Timme. This season, Hayes is averaging 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 17.6 minutes per game. He's normally only playing minutes in the teens, which isn't going to offer high streaming appeal.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Los Angeles Lakers center
Deandre Ayton (knee) is active ahead of Sunday's game against the Toronto Raptors. Ayton is back in the mix after sitting out the front end of the back-to-back set due to left knee soreness. He's back in the mix and expected to have a full workload for Sunday's slate. In January, Ayton is averaging nearly a double-double with 11.5 points and 9.1 rebounds in eight games. The big man is going to miss some games for rest purposes, but is a viable fantasy option when he's healthy. Fantasy managers should feel safe plugging Ayton into their lineups on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Chicago Bulls forward
Patrick Williams (ankle) won't play on Sunday against Brooklyn. Williams logged 12 minutes when these clubs met on Friday night before he tweaked his right ankle and was eventually ruled out. It's unknown how long the injury will keep him out of commission. However, the 24-year-old has averaged a career-low 6.5 points this season, so his absence won't impact many fantasy managers outside of opening up more minutes for
Jalen Smith, who is coming off a 14-point, 13-rebound, four-block effort.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Houston Rockets forward
Tari Eason (ankle) is ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Eason was listed as questionable coming into the game, but will now sit out his fifth straight game. When healthy, Eason has been solid, averaging 12.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 23.8 minutes per game. His absence should mean that
Josh Okogie draws another start on Sunday. He'll likely see decent playing time, but is too inconsistent to trust as a streaming option.
--Andy WebbSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Chicago Bulls guard
Josh Giddey (hamstring) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's meeting with the Nets. The 2021 No. 6 overall pick carried a doubtful tag heading into this one. While nobody expected him to play, the doubtful designation suggests he's progressing. In the meantime,
Tre Jones should continue to roll with the starters, with the former Duke Blue Devil most recently amassing 11 points, five assists, five boards, and one steal when the Nets and Bulls met on Friday night.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
January 18, 2026
Houston Texans tight end
Cade Stover (knee) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's AFC Divisional Round game against the New England Patriots with a knee injury. He suffered a knee injury during the fourth quarter and will not return on Sunday. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, his knee injury appeared significant.
Dalton Schultz also exited Sunday's game earlier with a calf issue, and now leaves
Harrison Bryant as the only healthy tight end for the Texans. Stover caught one of three targets for two yards before exiting. The 25-year-old will undergo additional tests after the game to determine the severity of the injury. Bryant should see an expanded role with both Schultz and Stover out.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Aaron Wilson
January 18, 2026
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Darius Garland (toe) will be re-evaluated in seven to 10 days after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 big-toe sprain. The injury isn't to the same toe that forced him to miss the start of the 2025 campaign. However, it's unknown how long it will keep him off the floor. The 25-year-old is averaging 18.0 points, 6.9 assists, and 36.0% shooting from behind the arc this season. While Garland is out of commission,
Donovan Mitchell should take over most of the ball-handling duties, with
Craig Porter Jr. and
Jaylon Tyson in line for enhanced roles.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Danny Cunningham
January 18, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly still in the mix for free-agent left-handed starting pitcher
Framber Valdez, according to Roch Kubatko. Valdez is one of the top remaining free agent starters on the market. The Giants and Mets have reportedly shown interest, but the O's also remain in the mix. It seems that the O's would like to add a top-of-the-rotation pitcher ahead of the 2026 season. They've been linked to
Justin Verlander, but his best days are likely behind him. Valdez could be a potential game-changer to an Orioles rotation that already has
Kyle Bradish and
Trevor Rogers as their top options. In 2025, Valdez posted a 3.66 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 187/68 K/BB ratio across 31 starts with the Houston Astros. The 31-year-old could offer a significant boost to this O's rotation heading into the 2026 campaign.
--Andy WebbSource: Roch Kubatko
January 18, 2026
New York Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy (personal) is expected to rejoin the team for Monday's tilt against the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old didn't travel with the Rangers for the first game of a four-game road trip on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, missing the action for personal reasons. It was Soucy's fifth absence of the season. He is ranked third on the Rangers squad with 63 blocks and eighth with 68 hits. On the offensive end, Soucy has produced three goals and five assists in 44 outings. Before exiting the lineup, Soucy had assists in back-to-back games. If Soucy picks up a point in his next game, it will mark only the second time in his NHL career that he's made it onto the score sheet in three consecutive appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
The Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent relief pitcher
Ryan Borucki to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. This is a low-risk move by the South Siders to add a veteran arm to their bullpen. Last season, Borucki posted a 4.63 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 32/16 K/BB ratio across 39 appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. The 31-year-old has a career 4.28 ERA across eight big league seasons with three different organizations. With a strong performance in camp, Borucki could settle in nicely as a middle reliever in Chicago.
--Andy WebbSource: Scott Merkin
January 18, 2026
Chicago Blackhawks winger Teuvo Teravainen (upper body) will miss a third consecutive game on Monday against the Winnipeg Jets. The Finnish forward suffered an upper-body injury earlier this week. Although there's no set timetable for Teravainen's return, his next chance to make a comeback will be on Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. Teravainen has tallied nine goals and 21 points in 45 outings this season, averaging 18:10 of ice time. Only Connor Bedard and Tyler Bertuzzi have recorded more power-play points among Blackhawks skaters than Teravainen, who has notched four goals and seven assists with the man advantage.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (groin) could be available for his season debut next week. "He's close," Panthers head coach Paul Maurice said before Saturday's win over the Washington Capitals. "He's getting pushed hard on the ice. He's coming back. The recovery has been good. He hasn't felt at a hundred percent, but the last two days he pushed hard, came back, felt good. So, I don't think he's very far away now." Florida also hopes to see Brad Marchand (undisclosed) return soon. The veteran has been out for five games. "Neither one of those guys should be out very much longer," Maurice added. The Panthers return to action on Monday against the San Jose Sharks.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 18, 2026
The Texas Rangers signed free-agent relief pitcher
Jakob Junis to a deal on Sunday. They've agreed on a one-year, $4 million deal for the 2026 season. Junis played a critical role in the Cleveland Guardians bullpen last season. He registered a 2.97 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 55/18 K/BB ratio across 57 appearances. The expectation is that Junis will function as a middle reliever, which is going to limit his ceiling for fantasy purposes. The Rangers don't have a lockdown closer at the moment, but it's unclear if Junis will be used in that role. The 33-year-old has only two career saves during his nine-year MLB career. For now, the assumption is that Junis will function as a viable middle reliever.
--Andy WebbSource: Ken Rosenthal
January 18, 2026
The Denver Broncos signed quarterback
Ben DiNucci to their practice squad on Sunday. He rejoins the Broncos after playing for the team two seasons ago. With
Bo Nix (ankle) set to miss the rest of the playoffs due to a broken bone in his ankle, the Broncos added DiNucci for quarterback depth. The 29-year-old was waived by the Falcons during training camp and hasn't played in an NFL game since 2020.
Jarrett Stidham will start Sunday's AFC Championship game against either the Houston Texans or New England Patriots, while
Sam Ehlinger will serve as the backup. The DiNucci signing doesn't have any fantasy impact, as he's likely to be the team's emergency quarterback unless the Broncos bring in other QB options next week.
--Brad Camara - RotoBallerSource: Adam Schefter of ESPN
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